"Walk into your local electronics emporium and look at the wall of
screens. It's a beautiful sight. All of the displays look so
wonderful, but where do you start? What do you need to know to find
your perfect high-def match? Purchasing your first HDTV can be a
daunting task if you aren't armed with the proper information when you
enter the carnivorous den of your local electronics superstore. There
are a couple of areas I'd like to focus on in this guide. The first
thing to consider is the type of TV, and which is best suited to your
viewing environment. This consists of the physical space the TV will
occupy and any devices you plan to use with it will weigh heavily on
your decision. Also important are the features and specifications that
a new TV can offer. Buzzwords like 1080p, contrast ratio, HDMI, and
120Hz will be thrown at you as soon as you strike up a dialogue with a
salesperson (or as they stalk you up and down the aisles). With a
little preparation, you can be an informed consumer with the power to
overcome jargon-filled sales pitches and, in the end, make the right
decision for you."